Libya’s National Transitional Council hands over power to new assembly

Libya’s outgoing National Transitional Council (NTC) has handed over power to the newly-elected General National Congress almost a year after the revolution that toppled long-time dictator Muammar Gaddafi.
The North African country’s first peaceful transition of power in more than four decades took place in an official ceremony in the capital Tripoli on Wednesday night, AFP reported.
NTC Chairman Mustafa Abdul Jalil handed power to Mohammed Ali Salim, the chairman and the oldest member of the 200-seat legislative body elected on July 7.
NTC and government officials, representatives of civil society groups as well as diplomatic missions in Libya, participated in the ceremony.
The legislative assembly will appoint a new interim government which will rule until new parliamentary elections after the drafting of a new constitution.
The assembly members have agreed to formally name a new chairman and two deputy chiefs within a week.
Libyans rose up against Gaddafi in February 2011 and deposed him in August 2011. He ruled for more than four decades without a legislature.
MHB/AS